In this unit, learners engage in a variety of research methods to create both oral and visual presentations outlining the life and work of a chosen philanthropist from history. The unit begins with learners brainstorming a list of philanthropists (from history and present day). In this exercise, the difference between "celebrity" and "philanthropist" is discussed and clarified. Learners then write a letter to a chosen philanthropist from history, asking both required and student-generated questions of that person. Learners then use both electronic and traditional research methods to learn the answers to the questions they have asked. Using the information they have collected, students write a letter back to themselves, as the philanthropist they have researched. The learners then give an oral report to their classmates on the lives they have researched, and create a visual display featuring the two letters they have written, and visual highlights of the philanthropist's life and work. Upon listening to classmates' reports, students write "Bio-Poems" on the lives of several other philanthropists' lives and works.

The learner will:

• recognize philanthropists from history.
• write a formal letter inquiring about the philanthropist's public life and work.
• using a variety of print and electronic sources, research the public life and work of one philanthropist.
• describe a philanthropist's public life and work.
• write bio-poems highlighting the work of philanthropists.
• acting as a philanthropist, write a letter describing his/her work.

Students turn in written letters to and from the philanthropist, give an oral presentation, and write Bio-Poems. Each is graded according to attached requirements and rubrics.